Company News
Motokiki tyre price comparison site launches
A new online tyre price comparison service has launched, aiming to provide UK motorists with an online tool to choose their tyres quickly and easily, and bringing together products from a wide variety of retail businesses. Motokiki’s comparison engine is designed to offer an impartial whole of market price comparison of tyres from a broad range of suppliers, as well as tyre label result comparison, and the location in which they can be fitted. The company initially comprises 20 staff in offices a short walk from Port Talbot railway station, working on the technical development and marketing of the website, with other aspects of the business outsourced to teams around the country, such as its London-based communications agency, FWD Consulting. Tyres & Accessories travelled to south Wales in late November to attend the launch, with Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”) and the Development Bank of Wales, which have collectively made an equity investment of £3 million in the company, also represented.
Nokian Tyres splits Europe in Central Europe and Nordic regions
Nokian Tyres is separating its Business Area Europe into two business areas: Business Area Central Europe and Business Area Nordics. Anna Hyvönen, SVP Vianor and member of Nokian Tyres Management Team, has been appointed SVP Nordics and Vianor, with the additional responsibility for Nokian Tyres Nordics. Pontus Stenberg, who has been SVP Europe and member of Nokian Tyres Management Team, is leaving the company to pursue his career outside of Nokian Tyres. Hannu Liitsola, currently managing director Central Europe, has been appointed interim Head of Business Area Central Europe.
Toyo changes official name, reshuffles executives
Toyo has made a number of organizational, structural and personnel changes, including an executive reshuffle. First, the company will change its corporate trade name from Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. to Toyo Tire Corporation, effective on 1 January 2019. According to the company, the corporate name change will leverage “getting our business operations rolling with the aim of strengthening governance and achieving further growth, which we will endeavour to implement under a new management structure.”
Kenda’s Michael Andre to retire
Michael Andre (60) is retiring at the end of 2018. The news comes after five years with Kenda Rubber Industrial, where he has been marketing and sales manager automotive Europe responsible for the European passenger car tyre business of the Taiwanese tyre manufacturer. In this role Andrew has led the phased introduction of the Kenda brand to the German and other key European markets.
Wanda Boto Tyre advertising on NASDAQ screen in Times Square
In September 2018 Shandong Wanda Boto Tyre Co Ltd was invited to display some of its advertising on the NASDAQ screen in the world-famous Times Square in New York, USA.
Cooper Tire and Sailun announce Vietnam TBR tyre joint venture
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is to form a joint venture with Sailun Vietnam Co, Ltd to build a 2 million capacity truck and bus radial manufacturing plant. Subject to closing and government approvals, the facility will be located near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at the site of Sailun Vietnam’s existing operations, which early in 2018 signed an offtake agreement to produce Roadmaster, Dean and Starfire brand tyres for Cooper. The new announcement represents the latest move in a series of cooperative moves between the two firms - Sailun Jinyu invested in joining Cooper in its GRT JV in September.
Linglong hosts partner meeting in Turin
Linglong Tire hosted its dealer meeting in Turin recently. The event focused on global cooperation and Linglong distributors and suppliers from all over the world were reportedly present. Dialogue with local partners was a specific talking point.
IAAF Annual Awards Dinner ‘largest event for years’ celebrating aftermarket success
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) Annual Awards & Dinner 2018 has been hailed as one of the largest of its kind in many years, as it once again welcomed key aftermarket professionals to celebrate another successful year of business, growth and innovation.
New electric motor for milk tankers reduces emissions
Lots of carbon dioxide is emitted unnecessarily every time tankers arrive at farms to collect milk. This is because the trucks use their oversized diesel engines to drive the pump that fills the tank. Technology company Semcon has now developed an electrical system for the milk pump that will reduce diesel consumption for a single truck by up to 5,000 litres per year. Noise and emissions at farms will also be reduced.
CAM appoints Frankie Sharp head of product management
CAM has expanded its management team with the promotion of Frankie Sharp to head of product management. The company states that the new addition to the management team is part of its ongoing commitment to drive innovation in the business to ensure its software solutions continue to meet the industry’s needs.
Linglong awarded China Industrial Award
On 9 December 2018, the fifth China Industrial Award Ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd. won China Industrial Award, the first tyre enterprise in China to win this award. Wang Feng, chairman and president of Linglong Tire, accepted the award at the Great Hall of the People.
Dunlop’s ‘most successful’ status continues at Le Mans, Isle of Man
Dunlop’s long record of success at the Le Mans 24 hours and the Isle of Man TT was continued in 2018, though the tyre brand added victories in other four and two-wheel series too.
Coker Group acquisition completed
Irving Place Capital has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of the Coker Group, in partnership with Coker president and CEO, Wade Kawasaki, and the current Coker Group leadership team. The Coker Group consists of the Coker Tire, Wheel Vintiques, Universal Vintage Tire, Phoenix Race Tires, Specialty Wheel and Roadster Wire Wheel brands. Tennessee-based Coker Tire Company is the world’s largest manufacturer/supplier of collector vehicle tyres and motorcycle tyres, with distributors in more than 30 countries.
Goodyear launching Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Following the success of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 range, Goodyear has announced that its latest Ultra High Performance (UHP) road tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, will hit the market during the course of 2019. According to Goodyear, the new tyre will be available in 61 stock keeping units (SKUs) arriving between February and December 2019 with fitments from Volkswagen Golf to Porsche 911.